A contractor that had hoped to have a key Vermont bridge fully renovated by year's end says the structure is going to stay closed a bit longer.

The contractor says it ran into unexpected problems recently involving the support structure and soil at the Veterans Memorial Long Bridge in Newport.

The bridge over Lake Memphremagog closed in 2010 for repairs. The closing meant lost access from Newport to a major east-west truck route. It connects to Western Avenue and the Interstate 91 access road.

The Caledonian Record reports the contractor, Reed and Reed, had hoped to complete work on the deck that links downtown to Western Avenue in time to have paving done before winter arrives. But unforeseen circumstances mean the bridge won't open this winter as planned.